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Letters and papers, foreign and domestic, of the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547)

This collection contains details of State Papers held both in the National Archives in London and elsewhere, and also a wide range of other documents relevant to the social, political and cultural history of the time. The whole period from Henry VIII’s accession to the throne on 21 April 1509 to his death in 1547 is covered. The types of document include private and official letters (mainly in-coming), reports and instructions, treaty papers, memoranda, Council minutes and draft parliamentary bills. The early state papers are those of Henry’s chief ministers (not necessarily secretaries of state), including Wolsey and Cromwell.

The volumes contain short summaries of the documents and provide valuable information on every facet of early modern government, including social and economic affairs, law and order, religious policy (such as the dissolution of the monasteries), crown possessions and intelligence gathering as well as some references to foreign policy. The documents also shed light on topics such as Henry’s interest in the development of the Navy and provide interesting personal details of key players at Henry’s court. (22 volumes, some volumes in multiple parts, published 1864-1932).